Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood

[Jairus Starvald]

Kyrikal III
[member="Laira Vereen"]

Once again Vnut of Garnib found himself on the seventh floor of the Fa Holdings office building.

He was waiting, rather patiently, on the arrival of certain individuals. Officially, they were a small mercenary outfit based off the Commenor Run and affiliated planets. They were hired to help the Balinaka run a few errands around the Kyrikal system -- most of which were based around application of force, the sending of regards and otherwise sharing an idea of a new... better order around town.

This had to be done carefully, of course. With a slight measure of subtlety and caution. Because while the likes of Silk Holdings, Arceneau Trade and Akure did not focus completely on the Kyrikal system, they still had a non-negligible presence within it.

Pissing them off was most definitely not a thing that Vnut was interested in. At least not at the present time, what happened later would be entirely up to Lord Fa and how suicidal he felt at that moment in time. So he waited, but the meeting wasn't just about that. Vnut was a firm believer of consolidation.

This is why the mercenary outfit was not all that it seemed.

In reality they were Knights from Alderaan, on a trade mission to interest Fa Holdings and Lord Fa into buying merchandise from them. What better way of showing how effective it all was, then by showing it in action at the same time?

 

[Laira Darkhold]

The Knights of Alderaan weren't a Mercenary Company, but more of a group of Knight's on a quest. They would fight, of their own accord for riches, glory, fame, or even love on occasion when they did venture forth from Alderaan. It was not uncommon for a Circle of Knights to represent the honor and valor of Alderaan.

In this case, they were being hired along with the humanitarian aid Alderaan Engineering provided in the Kyrikal system, at the behest of Princess Laira Vereen. It didn't take much for the princess to convince a group of Knights of the Wolf-Cat to accompany her and her humanitarian and construction efforts in the system.

Fa Holdings was a fairly small corporation that had some influence in the system and she had decided to meet with their representative personally, wearing a green dress with her gold circlet on her brow, keeping her fiery red hair neat and proper. The corvette she arrived on was nothing more than a CR-90 bearing no specific colors or heraldry, and even if it did, those colors could change easily enough.

The eight Knights of the Wolf-Cat were arrayed around her, distinguishable by their spotted furs adorning their shoulders and pauldrons, the emblem of the Wolf-Cat on their left pauldron clearly. They stood acting as Royal Guards in this instance, but they were known to go questing on their own and operate independently. The Knights of the Sword, who would be doing most of the work had remained in the barracks of the corvette waiting for the agreements to be reached.

The redhead walked from the landing pad followed by her honor guard walking into the lobby of the building.

"This is Princess Organa to see Fa Holdings."

[member="Manda-Rishi Outfit"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Laira Vereen"]

Sabine, the secretary at the desk, was just painting her nails.

By the reaction she gave you wouldn't even notice that a Princess had walked into the lobby. She calmly finished up the offending nail, before putting down the paint and other feminine equipment to have a look at the fuss. Finely-shaped eyebrow rose as she did indeed see an honor guard worthy of a princess behind a shapely lady in a dress and circlet.

"Princess Organa, welcome." They didn't pay her enough to start bowing and scrapping though. This was the modern age, royalty meant exactly squat to this particular lady.

She hadn't fought her way up to a respectable position to put herself down in the favor of others.

"Your appointment is on the seventh floor, the third door to your right." Sabine clarified, before giving her a nod, the muscular fellows an appraising look and then returning behind her desk and her nails.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Laira didn't have much of a problem being left hanging, not given the respect a princess might normally deserve. She spent most of her time these days alone in a freighter flying as a spacer pilot, scavenging, salvaging, and exploring the space lanes on the outer rim. Only rarely did she lament and do her duty as Princess of Alderaan, and even then, only when she couldn't come up with an excuse to get out of it.

So far in her journeys she had fought and scouted the First Order military, flown several cheap cargos, and learned exotic dancing from a Zeltron Force Master, along with a solid discussion about the Force. Now she was back to wearing the floor length gowns of a princess she always kept on the Explorer just in case she had to fill in for something.

"Thank you very much." the redhead smiled warmly, a look her mother had worn many, many times throughout her life. She and her entourage moved from the lobby to the lifts, the knights checking the lift before allowing the princess on it. It was a bit cramped carrying nine individuals, her guards pressed against each other so that they didn't accidentally bump into her on the ride up.

Laira tapped her fingers patiently against her forearm as the lift took them to the seventh floor. "You may wait outside the office. I'll be fine with the Fa Holdings representative for a simple meetings." The knights looked around at each other, before one of them spoke. "Of course Princess. We will be right outside."

When the doors opened half the knights filed out and made space for the Princess to walk between them while the other half followed her until they came to a stop. "Good afternoon, I believe I am expected?"

[member="Manda-Rishi Outfit"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Laira Vereen"]

Vnut looked up from the paperwork to come face to face with a... lady.

For some reason -- after hearing about Draco Vereen, her father -- he had been expecting something differently. But in the end it mattered little to him, he rose himself from his seat, which creaked as the sheer weight was displaced for a moment. Then the Balinaka bowed, not very deeply, but just enough to show some measure of respect to the Princess Organa.

It was proper to do and Vnut had little in the way of ego to prevent him from doing such.

"Princess Organa." The ursine greeted with his heavy rumble. "You are quite welcome, please sit."

They had much to discuss, many things on the agenda, before they'd actually go out there and do the errands that were set for today. It would probably get messy at one time or another and he really wondered if this princess was up to the task.

But he supposed he'd have to find out the hard way.

This was one of the things that Vnut didn't really like about the job. Used to be all he had to worry about was crushing skulls and making sure Lord Fa was safe, but those days were over. Now politics was at the top of his mind every single day of the week.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

The princess walked gracefully into the office with a warm smile, "Thank you." she said, sitting and crossing her legs as she made herself comfortable in the chair. Laira had no problems getting dolled up and looking presentable in dresses or gowns, she was comfortable in them in fact. She just didn't enjoy having to be official or proper all the time. When she was Princess Organa or Vereen, people didn't see the redhead for what she was, they saw extensions of her parents and had expectations of such. They didn't want or expect Laira, they wanted her to be her parents.

She smiled at the bear-man, "It isn't often Alderaan receives such an unusual request, which is why I came personally." The Knights of Alderaan weren't exactly a Mercenary band. They were not exactly for hire, and the Crown didn't exactly put them on loan. Sure some of them went questing during peaceful times on Alderaan seeking adventure, glory, sometimes riches. Laira had to ask for Volunteers from the Knights of the Sword to take this particular request, but she hadn't been light on volunteers. Many of the young men were excited to get to go and fight, and just as many were more than willing to accept a personal quest from the Princess.

"Alderaan Engineering is happy to help Fa Holdings with any humanitarian aid you are planning on providing. I am Laira Organa, and who might you be?" She eyed the bear-man up and down as she made herself comfortable. Alderaan Engineering was the Crown's corporation used to bankroll the military and navy in addition to the numerous humanitarian and economic assistance they provided to the people. The company's primary specialization was in rebuilding and reconstruction for the impoverished and war-torn worlds.

[member="Manda-Rishi Outfit"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Laira Vereen"]

"You honor us, Princess. If I had known you would be coming personally?" The Balinaka wondered what would have been different. Would Lord Fa have replaced him? His Lordship cared much about nobility, mostly because he himself was of nobleblood, but some thing told him that Tai would have let him handle it regardless.

Perhaps to show a message or perhaps simply because there were important matters asking for his attention.

"I would have given you a better reception." Another inclination of the head. "My name is Vnut of Garnib, I am Lord Fa's Chief of Security and have been tasked to bring order in his operations here."

Which wasn't easy.

Even as close as he was to the Thirriken, much of his doings were a mystery. Why did he buy asset x and not y, even when y was more profitable? Why did he sort out this individual, but not that one? If there was a plan to it, some kind of overreaching idea? Then he could not see it, at least not yet.

"You are... Laira Organa, if I recall correctly." He spoke his mind plainly, politics wasn't his thing. "I have read up on House Organa prior to this meeting, out of interest."

It's what he did- prior to his meeting with the Mand'alor, he dived into Mandalorian culture.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

"Oh it was no issue Mister Vnut." She really didn't mind the lack of fanfare or pomp. It was just a business meeting after all, even if she didn't have any idea what it was Fa Holdings actually did. "And yes, that is the correct pronunciation." Laira smiled at the bear-man, waiting for him to finish speaking. He was a very large being, standing much taller than she and covered with white fur. No wonder he was chief of security, the giant bear could probably tear a man in half with his paws. "I can certainly see why someone would like keeping you close to them." Laira looked him up and down as she spoke.

"I was wondering what it was you needed help with? What supplies could AE assist with and how can the Knights of Alderaan help?" She cut to the chase, straight to the meat of the matter. There would be time for sitting around exchanging pleasantries but if there were disagreements in the job description that couldn't be smoothed over it was best to handle them quickly.

The Knights of Alderaan were known for their chivalry, ultimately loyal to the Throne of Alderaan, currently held by her Grandmother. To that end, they represented Alderaan in everything they did, much like how Laira represented her family when using her official name and title. That being considered, there were many ways in which Alderaan could assist Fa Holdings. Food stuffs, building materials, medical aid, emergency shelters. In addition, the Knights could provide ample security to Fa Holdings for the time they were on Kyrikal. If there was any beasts that needed to be slain, Knights were who you sought after to complete such a quest.

[member="Manda-Rishi Outfit"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Laira Vereen"]

Straight to the matter at hand.

Vnut could respect such an approach, especially after having to read a whole mountain of paperwork prior to this. He was already tired enough and didn't really want to go through all three-hundred and fifty ceremonial lines, before getting into the meat of this meeting. What Fa Holdings needed and what the Kyrikal system needed were two things, but there was some overlap possible between the two entities. As often was the case, Lord Fa had started the lobbying process with the various political figures within their government.

Already some of the ministers and other ranking entities were starting to see his way of things.

It was more difficult with the Ithorian Bloc, but even they had a rough edge around them. Rougher than those that hailed from Ithor directly or the ones who were keeping the peace in the settlements on the various moons, at least. They were more political, more aggressive than their natural brothers and could be made to see reason in time, at least if the Thirriken was to be believed.

"Corporate security and reinforcement of rights."

"We have been in contact with the government of Kyriaki." The system was governed by a single federal system made up of the four main colonized moonlets, each of them federal and democratic in purpose. "They are quite courteous, but are incapable of providing any meaningful assistance this moment."

"There are groups within the Kyriaki system, who are not quite as supportive of outside investors into their system. They went from protests to sabotage and sometimes worse."

Vnut leaned back against his seat.

"Lord Fa wishes to implement a two-route strategy. First, we must neutralize the threat of these groups, but secondly and perhaps more importantly, we must show them that corporations can help them. We have located several points of interests where we can make a difference, with your aid of course, to change public discourse."

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Riots and uprising wasn't something the redhead had expected to be told about. The Knights would be uneasy about that information, they would fret over her safety and would likely not be agreeable about her spending nights on the planet. Not that she didn't mind staying in a luxury suite on her ship, but she also didn't like having grown men hover over her like she was some frail thing that couldn't be left alone for anything.

"I can understand why violent protests might hinder your company." If the majority of people was really disinterested in their being here, Fa Holdings wouldn't last with their presence on the planet. What they needed was a sway in public relations in a real and meaningful way, to not appear like they were paying off the populace. That would drive the hardliners to greater lengths, even if it did sway the fence sitters.

"Perhaps the rebuilding and refurbishing one of the problem neighborhoods will help with Fa Holding's public image. Real tangible assistance with long term benefits for the people living there with no visible benefit to you." Laira was well aware of the distrust of outside corporations. Alderaan was picky about who got to build facilities on their homeworld and what defenses could be erected. The people had seen foreigners try to strip mine their homes and conquer them. But there were ways to get around that distrust.

"Which neighborhoods are causing the most problems? Which one could use the most relief? Alderaan Engineering can go in and refurbish it in partnership with Fa Holdings. That project will also draw the attention of your most violent dissenters which may allow you to operate with more freedom in other areas." Not the worst plan, and Laira wasn't entirely sure what it was Fa Holdings actually did.

[member="Manda-Rishi Outfit"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Laira Vereen"]

For a moment the Balinka listened to the princess and her thoughts.

It surprised him, then, when her thoughts were heading in the right direction. This was the first time they met and, in fact, Vnut had never before met with her father or her mother. Sure, her dad was the CEO of a MegaCorp, but that did not have to mean much. The greatest fools were put on the front row, the spot where everyone expected power to be.

Didn't mean they were the real power that be.

But it seemed that Laira was not empty-headed after all.

"Here, here and here." Vnut finally said, after booting up a zoomed-out holographic map of Kyrikal III. The capital of the system and the planet with the greatest concentration of industry.

It was for this reason that the Balinaka was suspecting there was more to the backlash. Because the arguments of isolationism would have been more the argument for those living on 17, who had fought a long war against 3 for their independence. Who were made up of hard workers and didn't give a crap about honeyed words.

"As for what we do, Fa Holdings is an investment firm, Lady Organa." The Balinaka politely explained. "Our interests within the system range from mining to refineries and tourism, but we have recently also been making in-roads within the industrial complex and the factories."

There wasn't anything classified about it, really.

If you knew where to look it was all there.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

"Well, I will have some of my people visit those locations and see if they can communicate with some of the people living in those neighborhoods. Figure out what they think they need most. It wouldn't do you very well to swoop in and pay for something and them dislike it." Laira smiled, looking over the holomap of Kyrikal III for a moment. Three primary neighborhoods with significant unrest about the intervention of off-worlders and their companies. It would be difficult for an off-world company to appear benevolent to them without suspicion if the first thing that company did was tear up their homes for one reason or another.

There had to be a first contact that had to go well in order for Alderaan Engineering to garner trust, and then she would have to hand that trust over to Fa Holdings. There was a way to do that she was prepared for luckily enough. "How about we visit this neighborhood," she pointed at the Ithorian bloc at random, not knowing who lived there, "And distribute some basic supplies. I brought medicinal goods, foodstuffs, some clothes and blankets, you know the basics. Me and my people go, your people hand out the supplies. If anyone asks, Alderaan has brought it to them at Fa Holdings request. We don't want to be too blatant with your involvement." Transparency was one thing, making numerous announcements about it was another. The people would talk and word would spread that Fa Holdings had paid in part for their relief efforts.

"Hopefully, as a company with no intention of setting up shop here we will receive a warmer welcome, especially given our humanitarian history. Then it will be as simple as shifting that trust to your employer. The books will of course have to show Fa Holdings involvement with the relief project, or it will not stand up to scrutiny." And that's where she mentioned that Alderaan Engineering intended to be paid for its help. Not that they wouldn't provide aid to the impoverish, that is what they did after all. But that if they would be giving credit to Fa Holdings, Fa Holdings would be paying credits.

[member="Manda-Rishi Outfit"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Laira Vereen"]

It didn't take long for Vnut to realize what she was hinting at.

This made him somewhat amused, which showed itself in a teethy smile upwards, but that was just the Balinaka's way to grin. There was nothing inherently aggressive about it, even though it might have looked like he was sizing up her head with his mouth to see if he could chew through it. It was a natural conclusion to make and usually Vnut got quite sad about it. Stereotypes were the killers of relationships, most certainly so.

"Fa Holdings will, of course, cover the costs and then some, Lady Organa." An inclination of the head followed, before Vnut mused further. "We have also located several weak points in their infrastructure."

Both the industrial and more civilian-types, but it was the civilian ones they were focusing on right now.

Mostly because, at least for the lay man, there was no additional benefit for Fa Holdings to restore and repair those.

"We have already started the lobbying process to gain an official contract to repair them, but that will still be several weeks if not months off, which means we have plenty of time to work on the public image with less... impactful moves."

They would need the contract to actually start working though. This was a respectable society with laws and rules, sadly a corporation could not just... decide to start working on public infrastructure like that. It would take lobbying, money to grease the cogs and probably some kind of political pressure exerted by Lord Fa himself, who was slowly making a name out for himself in this region of space.

As a philanthropist, as a bird who cared about the little people and their plights, as someone who wished to help.

Quite an interesting approach.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Laira smiled back at the bear like being, giving him a more appraising look as he sized her up, her stormy grey eyes piercing back at him. She was sure he wasn't the most trustworthy being, mostly because she didn't know him. She had grown up the daughter of a Mandalorian Clan Lord, who had called wookiees, yuzzem, and even rishii vod. The Balinaka wasn't the most feral creature she had ever met. Overall he didn't seem so bad, but looks could be deceiving.

"Excellent. I'll have my people begin working on gathering supplies for construction. We will try to plan it accordingly so that we can begin to make changes with as little disruption to their daily life as possible. Then once we've gained some trust with the local community we can begin more disruptive projects." Stuff like reworking plumbing, air ducts, rebuilding homes took time and would disrupt their every day lives for some time. It would upset the locals more if the corporations moved in promising improvements only to immediately cause them issues like traffic, construction noises, and the like.

"As for security concerns, I'm not sure the Knights will enjoy being simple security. They are," She paused considering what words to use to describe them. "Different." Arrogant, egotistical, glory hounds. All those words could describe them, but so could chivalrous, enigmatic, and inspiring. Most of the Knights held strict codes of honor and loyalty. It was rare for them to tarnish themselves, even with orders from the Throne.

"Would you care to join me when I go to the neighborhood?"

[member="Manda-Rishi Outfit"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Laira Vereen"]

"Following you around all day is not considered security then?" Vnut responded with some humor in his tone, but it mattered quite little to him in the end. After his appointment with Superintendent he had received permission from Lord Fa to start a minor recruitment drive among certain security individuals.

They weren't anywhere near the level he wanted them to.

But they were better than nothing and they would only get better with training.

"Of course. It will send a strong signal that Fa Holdings cares about their fate, more so than if I would send an employee there."

Besides, this way he'd be able to keep an eye on Organa himself and make sure she didn't get herself killed. No offense to the Knights that were sworn to protect her, of course, but they were a bunch of shiny armor wearers. Once the fight was truly on? Who knew how they would actually react.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

"Ah you misunderstand. Those outside are members of the Order of the Wolf-Cat, sworn to protect the throne and Royal Family of Alderaan on rare occasion. The Knights of the Sword are the ones you requested, and they are less security, more killing monsters and beasts. Fighting for glory and honor, the like." She smiled. "Different Orders for different things you see." The Knights of the Wolf-Cat were the Royal Guard, and even then only on certain occasions, a small fraction of the Knights of Alderaan in question.

"Excellent. I'll plan to visit the neighborhoods right after shift change so the day laborers are off work." The redhead smiled and stood up slowly, letting her hand trace across Vnut's desk slowly as she walked from in front of the chair. "This is a lovely desk. Sturdy from the looks of it." Her grey eyes turned back to the balinaka.

"I'll meet you in the lobby when it is time to go, but I believe this meeting has reached its end. It was lovely meeting a handsome creature such as yourself." She held out her hand for him as she stood preparing to take her leave until the appointed time for them to take their tour of the low income neighborhoods.

[member="Manda-Rishi Outfit"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Laira Vereen"]

At first the comment seemed a bit strange, but Vnut simply let that go as a peculiarity of royalty.

Then the handsome-comment made the Balinka blink. It was a blink of perplexity, because it wasn't like he was used to being hit on by little - literally, when comparing the two of them - humanoids. She was... probably quite handsome herself? But there wasn't nearly enough fur to make this an interesting encounter for Vnut. Besides, business and pleasure could not ever mix together.

Lord Fa would have his fur for it.

"Thank you, Princess Organa." Vnut of Garnib responded, before taking her hand and giving it a careful shake. Very careful. Sometimes he needed to remember the discrepancy between his strength and the strength of humanoids.

"I am sure you are considered handsome yourself among your species."

The hand was let go right at the social time, before he inclined his head in respect.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Laira flashed her teeth as her grin widened. "Why thank you mister Vnut." It was a poor compliment in comparison to what she was used to, but she could tell he wasn't quite sure what to say. She had a number of lines she could drop, but he was clearly disinterested, or celibate. She wasn't sure. Either way it wasn't as though she intended to put the moves on the big bear-man or had any real interest in him. When the chips were down she was actually quite bashful, she just talked a big game.

"I'll be on my way." She turned after her hand was released, walking from the office to the room where her Knights awaited her. They were all still standing, waiting for her return. "Come along. We need to see to the preparations." The Knights moved to the lift, standing around the edges so that she could stand in the center without them touching her or accidentally bumping her.

"I need to change into something a bit less flowing while we are on the ship. I think standing there in a crown and dress will just paint me as a target." Laira knew how it was, and she had plenty of more functional clothes on the vessel that were still 'regal' in appearance and not her spacer's outfit. When the lift opened she exited through the lobby once again and out to their ship.

"All the supplies we have are in their proper crates, everything is ready to put on trucks to pass out. Were you thinking about making a speech?" Her aide, a blonde woman a few years older than her asked as they boarded the corvette.

"Oh goddess no. With any luck I won't have to talk to everyone. I'm already ready to leave this dustball and the pomp and circumstance and get back in the cockpit."

[member="Manda-Rishi Outfit"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Laira Vereen"]

It was something with relief that the big Balinaka saw Laira disengage and eventually leave his office.

Said relief had nothing to do with being nervous or anxious about being hit on and everything to do with having to let down a Princess easily. But it seemed she had received his hint rather well, which made him a little bit proud about himself. Lord Fa constantly mentioned that subtlety wasn't his strength, but what just had occurred could only be described as the apex of subtle refusal.

When they left Vnut settled back into his chair and brought up another holoview.

This time of Organa and her guards leaving the premises and back to their corvette. There was a pondering look as he thought about the security of their operations and how they could fit in the Knights of the Sword into the entire thing, if they weren't interested in security details. A couple of jobs stood out for him, things they could help with, but he'd have to filter through them.

Intimidation and murder were probably out of the question, which already downsized the potential.

That left protection of the civilians.

Hmm, there was this criminal outfit on the planet that kept harassing the locals, could do something with that? They are monsters of a kind.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Laira quickly got showered and changed from the long, floor-length green dress to something a bit more practical that still appeared a little aristocratic. She didn't mind that kind of appearance, so long as it looked good and didn't make her completely useless in combat like the dress did.

"So, do we have any estimates for them, or are we doing this like a contractor fixing a condo." She asked, wondering if they would be sending the bill first or would be giving a simple estimate to Fa Holdings and then sending over accurate billing after the job was done. Basically she wanted to know if they would be planning their operation on a budget, or more loosely.

"I don't know yet your Highness. I'll have to get in touch with them about the specifics." Sera answered, moving around pieces of flimsi on a desk looking for a specific one. "Here is the report you wanted."

Laira accepted it quietly as she pulled up her knee-high boot, zipping up the inside. The report was the criminal activity of the neighborhood in question for the last quarter year. The Princess wanted to know what she had just agreed to walk into, other than it was Ithorian and highly criminalized. It looked bad, exponentially higher than what crime ridden neighborhoods on Alderaan had looked like when she was growing up. She put it down, pulling on the second boot. "Thank you, Sera."

"I think I can sell this to them. Me, a Princess of a Broken World, bringing Alderaan's prosperity to the outer rim. Fa Holdings invited us because they care about the people, and are paying the way because they want the people of this world to prosper. Sound good to you?"

"Sounds sketchy." Sera replied.

"It is kind of sketchy that Fa Holdings cares about them, but we need this money. Without it, we won't have the funds to help the next planet that gets devastated." Sometimes they had to sell their aid and relief assistance if they wanted to be able to help those desperately in need. Otherwise Alderaan would bankrupt itself and every one of its citizens and barely make a dent in the horrors that plagued this galaxy. "We should down play Fa Holdings involvement as much as our own. We aren't here to advertise our services, we are here to help these people. For today, seeing both organizations together focused on that goal will have to be enough."

[member="Manda-Rishi Outfit"]